The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended

& Statewide AT Programs

This PowerPoint will allow you to…

• Briefly describe the history of AT legislation

• Describe the purpose of the AT Act

• Describe basic requirements for Statewide AT Programs

History of AT Act Legislation1988-Technology Related Assistance Act 1988 (Tech Act)Defines AT devices and services, recognized value of ATCreates state programs focused on use of ATOversight - National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

1994- Tech Act ReauthorizedSystems change activities to promote access to ATMandates stakeholder involvement in activity planning

1998- Assistive Technology Act of 1998Systems change activities to promote access to ATAlternative Financing Programs Introduced

2004-AT Act of 1998, as AmendedFocus on direct service by Statewide AT ProgramsOversight - Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)

Purpose of the AT Act

Supports state efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities.

Covers people with disabilities of all ages and all disabilities, in all environments.

AT Act Entities

• Statewide AT Programs• Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs)• Protection and Advocacy for AT Programs

(PAATs)

Statewide Assistive Technology Programs

• Information about what assistive technology devices and services are available and where to obtain them

• Device loan and demonstration centers in which an individual can try-out devices and/or borrow devices for a short period of time

• Funding resources for purchasing or acquiring assistive technology

• Device exchange and Device Reuse that provide individuals with used equipment at little to no cost

• Affordable loan programs that allow individuals to borrow money to purchase AT.

Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs)

• Assists Individuals in obtaining affordable financial loans to purchase assistive technology

• Typical assistive technology purchased through this funding include: modified vehicles, home modifications, hearing aids, vision aids, and adapted computers

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology Programs (PAATs)

• Offers legal and advocacy services to assistindividuals with disabilities obtain assistive technology.

• Works with numerous funding sources, including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance companies, special education programs, and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies.

Goals of the Statewide AT Programs

Increase access to and the acquisition of AT across all ages & all disabilities in 4 functional areas of life:

EducationEmployment

Community LivingInformation Tech & Telecommunications

Lead Agency & Implementing Agency

Lead Agency Controls and administers the funds made availablethrough the grant awarded to the state.

Implementing Agency Carries out responsibilities under the Act through asubcontract or another administrative agreementwith the Lead Agency.

State-Level Activities Core Activities

• State Financing Systems (includes alternative finance programs)• Device Reutilization Programs• Device Loan Programs• Device Demonstration Programs

State Leadership Activities

• Training and Technical Assistance• Transition Assistance • Public Awareness• Coordination & Collaboration

Statewide AT Program Requirements

Statewide– The program must geographically reach the

entire state

Comprehensive– The program must serve all disability types and AT

needs

Statewide AT Program Requirements

• Advisory Council Provides consumer responsive, consumer driven advice to

plan, implement, and evaluate state program.• State Plan Outlines three year plan for services developed with input

from Advisory Council.• Data Collection Annual collecting and reporting of data on activities.• Program Review Verifies state program is conducting program consistent with

intent of AT Act.

Program PlanningUse of Funds

• At least 60 % of funds must support State Level Activities.

• States can claim “flexibility” and use 70% of funds to carry out only two or more State Level Activities

• States can claim “comparability” for a particular State Level Activity if that service is already performed by another in the state.

• At least 5% of funds used for State Leadership Activities must be spent on Transition Activities.

Restrictions

• Funds cannot be used for direct payment of an AT device.

• Supplement vs Supplant - Funds cannot be used to supplant (take the place of) other federal funding required to provide service/ device.

• Activities carried out in state must comply with Section 508 standards.

Additional Points of Information

• Sunset provision has been eliminated.• Program was authorized for 6 years (2005-

2010); therefore, reauthorization is long overdue.

• Federal and State agencies are not authorized to reduce medical or other assistance or alter eligibility for a benefit or service under any federal law as a result of the AT Act.

Additional Points Continued

• Program now operates with formula-based funding.

• AT Act authorizes a minimum award of $410,000 for state grants programs. Some Statewide AT Programs funded under the AT Act receive a grant award below the minimum provided under the statute ($410,000 for states and $125,000 for territories).

Additional Points Continued

• Indirect costs are limited to no more than 10% of each state’s grant award.

• Many State AT Programs have successfully leveraged additional state, federal and private funds which has enabled them to expand programs and provide additional AT-related services to individuals with disabilities.

Section 6 of AT ActNational AT Programs and Resources

• RESNA Catalyst Project -National Technical Assistance Project for all AT Act Entities (Statewide, AFP, Telework, PAATs) www.resnaproject.org

• Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance (CATADA) National Technical Assistance for Data Collection and Reporting Data

• ATconnects.org-National Public Internet Site www.ATconnects.org

For more information contact:

RESNA Catalyst Project1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1540

Arlington, VA 22209-1903Phone: 703/524-6686 Fax: 703/524-6630 TTY: 703/524-6639

Email: Catalyst@resna.org Website: http://www.resnaprojects.org/